Dear new people downstairs...

I judged. When I can hear that you are watching every episode of married with children, I realize that your humour level is lame. If you turned your tv down a little (or a lot would be even better!), I wouldn't care. I too have watched the show and have giggled once or twice. I wouldn't watch a marathon of it on surround sound though.
Oh, and one more thing. Can you please take your garbage to the alley where the garbage man will pick it up? I know it is much more convenient to just open your door and let it pile up there, but it makes us look "trashy." I am not cool with this and will be pretty upset if I end up moving it.

Thanks,
Arual

Live Traffic Feed

I installed this a couple of days ago and I don'treally care for it. It tells me all of the time when I come onto my bolg (duh!) and although seeing that people form Turkey are checking out my blog, I kind of liked not knowing where anyone was from.
I hope everyone had a great Christmas and enjoyed Boxing Day today. I stayed at home both days, caught up in schoolwork, did some baking and enjoyed not having to pretend to be anyone else except me. Molly and Oryx loved having me around both days too (I assume, maybe they both were thinking WTF?).
Anyway, I am getting rid of my live feed. This post was fairly pointless.

Holiday Exhibitionism

Last night was a very busy night at the toy store. But I made it and I am done! Woo Hoo! I felt free last night as I counted the till for the last time and locked the door for the last time.
I get a 5.25% raise January 1 at my full time gig which is really nice. It will help relieve some of the pressure of losing that extra income. But time is money, and I need to use my time towards my educational goals at this point.

I work today and then I am off till January 5th. I have a trip to Saskatchewan for a few days in that time off and I can't wait. I need to get away from here and it will be nice to start a New Year refreshed.

I have been working on my 2009 goals. I already posted my plan with my credit card and have thought of a few others that I would like to complete:

1)27 credits in school
2)Save $1000 in Down Payment account
3)Save $2000 in Emergency Fund
4)Complete Ride to Conquer Cancer

I plan on posting my quarterly plans for each of these goals with in the next few days (when I have time off and can focus).

Almost Christmas...

This year for Christmas I am not planning on doing anything. I find Christmas to be the most stressful time of the year. I hate having to plan out which side of the family I am spending what meals or days with because one parent or the other always seems to lay a guilt trip. Possibly not intentionally, but I always feel bad when i say I am going to the other parent's. SO the last couple of years I have spent Christmas by myself, watching movies. This year will be a little bit harder because of the whole situation with A. I was tormenting myself earlier thinking about last year when we went ice skating on Christmas morning and then played board games Christmas afternoon. It was one of the best Christmas days I have ever had. I almost liked Christmas because of last year.

True to my word I have bought minimal presents for people. I am not aiding and abetting clutter this year. On Christmas day I am going to bake to keep my mind off of stuff and then I will hand out baked goodness when I do see my family.

In other Arualian news, people have finally moved into the basement suite at my place. They left their TV on all night and it is so loud I can hear everything going on. And one of the them snores...loudly. Such bliss. I can't wait till my lease is up and I can downsize to a place with less rent. This idea makes me sad too because I was originally thinking A and I were going to move in together when my lease was up. Unless I can figure out what I really want soon, I think A and I are going to be a thing of the past. He says he will wait while I figure stuff out, but I don't know what to do, I am super scared about getting hurt again, and I know he won't wait forever.

Tonight is my last shift at the toy store which is a happy thought at least.

Serious withdrawals

I can't get into my facebook on the computer. I have no issue with looking on my phone, but my laptop screen just informs me that there is an error and facebook is working on it!!! For the whole weekend there has been this message. I feel shaky and clammy. What if I am out of the loop on everything. What was life like before facebook??? Ahhhh!

In other news I had a very thrifty weekend. Its cold outside so I am in hibernation mode. I did go for brunch with a friend that is in town, but her mom treated us (thanks!).

Just a couple more days till Christmas. I can't wait till it's over. I am actually not a big fan of this time of year at all. And I miss A, but am pretty certain that it's over. That's really not helping to make this time of year better.

One more shift...

I received my pay cheque from the toy store last night and it was shorted 4 hours. This prompted my co-worker to check her hours and she was shorted too. She is wondering if they have always been skimming a little off her pay cheque because she has never paid attention before. I think this is crazy! I always check my hours and know approximately what to expect on each cheque.
So, they are going to issue me an new cheque and I am again happy to only have one more shift left. Christmas has been crazy there, there is no communication in the store and this is the second time they have shorted my hours.

Jesus Christ: Vampire Hunter

Tonight I am going to watch that movie after my shift at the toy store. I am not even sure what it is about except that it's a musical and I ♥ musicals (that was for you making up for past mistakes!).

Today is payday. I transferred $100 to my EF, $50 to my Down Payment account, and paid $141.62 on my VISA. This was the interest charge incurred last month. My total paid on my VISA this month is at about $550. I don't think I will make my goal of $1300 BUT I am okay with $550 at this point. And who knows, I still have two pay cheques from the toy store coming to me.

Speaking of the toy store, I have two shifts left!!! Tonight and next Tuesday. I can't wait to have some extra time to throw at my school work. And speaking of school work, I am reading Who has seen the wind right now for Canadian Lit and I am falling in love with it. I have laughed out loud a multitude of times and felt empathy for the little boy at times. I can't believe I have only now read this classic (Canadian classic anyway).

One week till Christmas!

Warm Weather

Today it has warmed up to a balmy -18 degrees. Thats including the wind chill factor. It is a nice change from the -40 degree weather we have been having the last couple of days. My dog will finally go outside.

I spoiled myself last Friday and bought myself a new pair of winter boots. They are suede and knee high and are super cute. I heart them. Today, because it's "warm" out, I am showing them off over a pair of coloured tights.

And it looks like I am going to NYC for my birthday next year! I am very excited. :)

Lunatic Fringe

Last night was the company Christmas party and it was great. Tom Cochrane performed and then was followed by a local band that played some funk and reggae type stuff. There were 2200 people there and the set up was a cocktail party. Lots of finger foods to sample everywhere.

The decor was beautiful. The theme was a white hot Christmas and the bars were ice sculptures as well as various photo booths around. All seating was either black leather couches or white satin chairs. And feather throw pillows.

I loved it. And I didn't want to get too crazy, so I only spent $20 at the bar. Cab rides home were provided for by the company.

So, total fro my ticket, my dates ticket and my drinks I spent $4o, watched Tom Cochrane and had great food. And had an excuse to dress nice.

All in all a wonderful night.

Moonjar

This is not a sponsored post. I do not even write sponsored posts. This about a product we got in at the toy store that Ilove (although I do think the price tag is a bit extreme).

The moonjar is three tins wrapped together. Each tin is a piggy bank and is designated for a certain action. One tin for saving, one for spending, one for sharing. This is a fabulous way (I think) to teach children about money and responsibility that comes with money.

You can check it out here

The concept is great, but what I decided to do is steal this idea for when I have kids, but use spaghetti jars. Let my kids paint each jar or decorate it how they wish. Maybe a picture of what they are saving for on the saving jar, or who they would like to share their money with on the sharing one. And this way they can watch their money grow too.

I think it's my new favorite product in the toystore.


In other small mall news, a store in the mall has the following sign outside their store to lure customers in: What Recession? Come in and spend now! followed by a list of all things that are a "deal."

I laughed. And shook my head. And thought about the moonjars.

What am I doing?

I miss A a lot. I am afraid that if I go back I will get hurt again. I am afraid if I don't go back, I may regret this the rest of my life. I keep doing all of this stuff to keep busy, but it feels fake and empty.

I don't know what to do, and the scariest part is I feel empty.

Aye Aye Mateys!

This morning I paid $414.72 to my credit card and transferred $102 over to my Emergency Fund. My Emergency Fund is now at $500 which is 25% of my goal.
The $414.72 paid off my flight to Saskatoon and a trip to Wal-Mart to stock up on household essentials.

Make your own Moonshine

This is the website of the day and I think I know what people are getting for Christmas this year! www.ibiblio.org/moonshine/ Good times held by all :)

This weekend was a blast. I watched the surreal film fest on Saturday and finally saw Salvedor Dali's infamous short. And then on Sunday I tried the Tubby Dog Cap'n Dog hot dog. Who would have thought that peanut butter, jam and Cap'n crunch could taste okay on a hot dog. Not something one should eat everyday or after heavy drinking, but I am glad to say I have tried it once.

AND on Sunday I was able to add to my Dr. Seuss collection and found a first edition of the Cat in The Hat's Songbook. Exciting! My little collection is growing and really adding some depth to my bookshelf. I must appear so deep to new acquaintances that browse to figure stuff out about me. Maybe I can write an analysis of Dr. Seuss picture books and their deeper meanings....

PS. Its December 1 and its 13 degrees out (Celsius). I love Chinooks :)

PPS. I can't wait to eat my advent chocolate when I get home.